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big wave tracker

big wave tracker

big wave tracker

big wave tracker

big wave tracker

big wave tracker

big wave tracker

big wave tracker

/OUR MISSION

Why Precision Matters in Big Waves?

Welcome to the Big Wave Tracker project, where precision meets the majesty of the biggest waves in the planet. Understanding the true scale of these colossal forces of nature fuels our fascination and serves key scientific and safety purposes. Our cutting-edge system delivers unparalleled wave data accuracy, revealing the true enormity of these oceanic giants.

Extreme Wave Sports

Riding the Waves of Precision

In the realm of extreme water sports, precise wave height measurements are paramount. They offer athletes indispensable information to assess wave conditions and elevate their performance safely.

Unveiling the Elusive Nature of Big Waves

Measuring big waves with pinpoint accuracy presents a formidable challenge.
These ocean surface waves are intricate and ever-changing, showcasing complex spatial and temporal variations. Conventional methods that hinge on single-point measurements, such as buoys or satellites, fall short when it comes to capturing the true essence of extreme sea states.

While video monitoring has emerged as a promising solution, subjective estimations and spatial coverage limitations continue to plague the field.These challenges include:

giant wave

Technological and Logistical Challenges

Placing sensors in the heart of breaking wave zones comes with a host of technological and logistical challenges. The existing instruments may struggle to deliver precise measurements under the relentless intensity of such conditions.

surfer crashing on a wave

Subjectivity in Estimation

Defining the wave bottom is still subjective, resulting in very different estimations of wave height, the vertical distance from crest to trough

wave height diagram showing top of the wave, bottom of the wave, face height, apparent face height and apparent bottom of the wave

Lack of scientific validation in wave measurements

In BigWaveTracker we have gathered a group of scientific experts that apply state-of-the-art image processing methods to measure waves in ocean and coastal areas.

/ the solution

Precision Through Science and Innovation

Big Wave Tracker harnesses state-of-the-art stereo-video technology to provide a groundbreaking system that empowers us to map the ocean's surface in 3D, delivering meticulous measurements of wave height and shape. The core components of our solution comprise:

Revolutionary Stereo-Video Technology

Our game-changing stereo-video technology eliminates the need for subjective corrections or geometric assumptions, providing an accurate and unadulterated representation of the waves.

Proven and Validated Methodology

The stereo-video method has been effectively deployed across diverse marine environments and under varying wave conditions, showcasing its adaptability and unwavering reliability.
gif showing wave measurement in la jument

Measurements of 20 meters waves at La Jument lightouse(France)

gif showing wave measurement in costa da caparica, portugal

Wave height measurements in a Portuguese surf spot - Caparica

gif showing wave measurement in nazaré, portugal

Wave breaking on the inside of Nazaré beach-break

gif showing wave measurement in brazil

Wave conditions at the port entrance in Rio de Janeiro

gif showing wave measurement in la jument
gif showing wave measurement in costa da caparica, portugal
gif showing wave measurement in nazaré, portugal
gif showing wave measurement in brazil
papers
Example of matched pixels between left and right images.

Guimarães, P.V., et al. A data set of sea surface stereo images to resolve space-time wave fields. Nature Scientific Data, 2020

SCIENTIFIC CAMERAS
Normalized ST autocovariance function at the focusing time (τ = 0) computed using the directional wave spectrum of the sea state in the record AA1. The 3D fields are shown in the geographic reference system.

Benetazzo, A., Ardhuin, F., Bergamasco, F. et al. On the shape and likelihood of oceanic rogue waves. Nature Scientific Reports, 2017

EXTREME WAVES
Polar plot of the 2-D directional wave spectrum 𝐸(𝑓,𝜃) in logarithm scale estimated with the low-cost stereo video system.

Vieira, M., et al. A Low-Cost Stereo Video System for Measuring Directional Wind Waves. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 2020

SMARTPHONES
surfers in honolulu

Vieira, M. 4D Nearshore wavefield by a low cost stereo video system. PORT’S 22. Honolulu, Hawaii, 2022

GOPRO
/ project partners
logo cm Nazaré
logo cm Nazaré
/project funding
FCT fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia logo
FCT 2022.08288.PTDC

Meet the team

Pedro Almeida

Pedro Almeida

Coordinator
+ATLANTIC
Portugal
Matheus Vieira

Matheus Vieira

PhD Student
Instituto Superior Técnico / +ATLANTIC
Portugal
Alvise Benetazzo

Alvise Benetazzo

Researcher
National Research Council, Institute of Marine Science
Italy
Pedro Veras Guimarães

Pedro Veras Guimarães

Researcher
University of Santa Catarina
Brazil
Filippo Bergamasco

Filippo Bergamasco

Researcher
University of Venice
Italy
Caio Fonteles

Caio Fonteles

Researcher
+ATLANTIC
Portugal
Tiago Garcia

Tiago Garcia

Communication
+ATLANTIC
Portugal
Sofia Aguiar

Sofia Aguiar

Designer
+ATLANTIC
Portugal
/ READY TO DIVE IN?

Contact us today to experience the future of big wave measurement